Substack Mastery Book: Chapter 6
How to Configure and Maintain Privacy of Substack Publications with Compelling Reasons
Non-members can read this chapter for free here. There is also Medium version for my followers on that platform. Thank you for reading, commenting, and sharing, and I hope many will benefit from this educational and inspirational book.
Hello everyone, this
(aka Illumination Gaming on Medium). Dr Yildiz forgot to post this chapter and some readers contacted me on Slack and Discord. So as a founding member of his publication he made me an editor and allowed me to publish this chapter for free as he is very busy with lots of things in addition to preparing Chapter 12 for his audience today. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.Like my Aussie mate
wrote a story The Substack Mastery Book Helped Me Make My Every Metric Green on My Dashboard, exactly the same thing happened to me. I will write a story about it reviewing the book soon as I was an alpha reader to the book, meaning I read the drafts when he was writing it.Our senior editor
who now adores Substack after distribution jail in Medium, and in fact having a love affair with Substack now, said the same thing and she even created a funny Notes about it for the amazing boost chapter. Dr Yildiz now offers a supplementary boost for our Substack Mastery community members.For those who don’t know I a media specialist, volunteer editor, and content curator of ILLUMINATION publications, who curated 262 collections. When a boost nominator I birthed 113 boosted stories and enjoyed the process very much .
I am also media coordinator and moderator of Slack workspace and all our tailored social media platforms including LinkedIn, Quora, and Reddit.
If you are interested in YouTube please join our new Substack Mastery channel and I will guide you to publish your videos and I might also feature your Substack newsletters. You can contact me on Substack Notes, Illumination Slack or my Discord.
We also have a blogging service to take your Substack to the next level. Dr Yildiz explained the valuabe of blogging and guest blogging and offered our community to use his popular website as a guest blogging platform. He opens his doors to all ethical and authentic writers. I link the blogging chapter for those who missed it here.
Chapter 6: How to Configure and Maintain Privacy of Substack Publications with Compelling Reasons
Dear beta readers,
I trust this post finds you well. Thank you for your invaluable feedback, which is helping refine this book and enhance it as a valuable resource for fellow writers. I’ve covered five critical aspects that have already helped many readers jumpstart their Substack journey.
Just yesterday, the discussion on editorial excellence and self-editing chapter resonated strongly with most of the discerning readers, with many noting it as an eye-opener. This feedback is particularly gratifying, as editing is a topic very close to my heart. Your insights are not just helping shape this book — they are also contributing to a broader conversation that can benefit the whole writing community.
As I mentioned in the purpose of this new book, I am not here to tell you what to do and how you do it. Instead, I will share what has worked for me and what some successful people have done. I hope that you can draw inspiration from these examples to craft a strategy that aligns with your own goals, needs, and aspirations.
What follows is a summary of how I approach growing my audience, meeting their needs, and maintaining a sustainable writing business. We are all unique, and what works for me may not work for everyone. However, certain principles and values can be thoughtfully adapted to fit many different situations.
Link to Available Chapters
Preface of “Substack Mastery” for Beta Readers, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10
Please remember to leave feedback if possible, as the purpose of sharing this book on this platform is to refine the final version of the book to make it a valuable knowledge source.
As I shared in a previous post, this book has already hit the top 100 bestseller list in multiple categories in various Amazon marketplaces. Thank you, my loyal readers, for making this book a success and a valuable knowledge source for the community.
How My Unpublished Book Hit the Best Seller Rank in Global Marketing Topic in 5 Days
The power of networking, generosity, abundance mentality, and a mailing list to reach a broad audience and build a…medium.com
Chapter 6: How to Configure and Maintain Privacy of Substack Publications with Compelling Reasons
I have written extensively about privacy across various contexts because it is a crucial element of my work in science and technology. The importance of privacy has only grown with the rise of the internet, the emergence of cybersecurity concerns, and the global increase in cybercrime. Privacy issues caused major scams that happened to me in 2022, causing me to lose some portion of my retirement funds and leading me to seek a lifeline.
Some regions, particularly Europe, have taken significant steps to address privacy issues, enacting strict regulations that challenge tech giants like Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and X. In Australia, where I live, both government and private organizations pay utmost importance to privacy.
Recently, Facebook accidentally suspended my 20-year-old account. It concerned me and hurt my feelings. I decided to do the appeal process but found it intrusive. So, I included a poll in the story about whether I should appeal or not. The exact question was, “Should I apply for an appeal to Facebook using my personally identifiable data or not?” I gave four options. 60% of my friends did not want me to appeal. Only 20% said yes.
Fortunately, with the help of my network, the issue was escalated to higher levels at Facebook, where it was resolved amicably, accompanied by an apology.
Back to Substack
Given that this book focuses on a specific platform, I will concentrate on privacy management for writers. Substack, a platform I have been following closely, has a comprehensive privacy policy regularly updated to address emerging concerns. For instance, their most recent update was on August 28, 2024.
The platform takes privacy seriously, empowering creators with robust tools to protect their personal information. At the same time, it offers flexibility for writers who prioritize global visibility over privacy and are willing to take calculated risks.
Personally, I find myself somewhere in the middle. Certain aspects of privacy are vital to me, while others are less critical. Everyone has different needs, so Substack allows for customization to suit individual preferences.
Writers must understand and tailor these settings on Substack to maintain control over their content, protect their privacy, and ensure their work effectively reaches the right audience.
How to Configure Privacy for a Substack Publication
You can access and customize these privacy settings directly from your publication’s settings page, as shown in the following screenshot. So click on Dashboard and then Setting.
Then, you click on the Settings tab as shown below.
Choosing the Privacy tab will open the following window.
An Overview of Privacy Options on Substack
I will briefly explain each setting and why it matters, drawing from my experience and observations. These settings aren’t simply black and white. Therefore, Substack offers us the flexibility to toggle them on or off based on our unique preferences and needs.
Private Mode
Private mode allows us to limit access to your content to only those subscribers you approve. This is particularly important for writers who share sensitive, personal, or niche content not intended for a general audience.
By using private mode, we can control who accesses our content, reducing the risk of it being shared publicly or falling into the wrong hands. This can be crucial for maintaining a safe and secure writing environment.
For example, a writer covering sensitive political topics might enable private mode to ensure that only trusted subscribers can view their posts, thus protecting themselves and their readers from potential backlash or harassment.
Allow Cross-Posting
As I introduced in Chapter 3, cross-posting can increase our exposure by allowing our free posts to be shared on other publications. However, if you want to maintain tight control over where and how your content is distributed, you may want to disable this feature.
For example, if you prefer to keep your content within a specific community or platform, disabling cross-posting can help you manage where your work appears and prevent it from being distributed without your consent.
By controlling cross-posting, you can prevent your work from being shared in contexts you didn’t intend, helping to maintain the integrity and original purpose of your content. I personally allow cross-posting as I have no concerns about my content going to extended communities.
Allow Listing on Substack.com
Being listed on Substack.com makes our publications discoverable by a broader audience, which can be beneficial for growing our readership. However, it also means that our work is more publicly visible, which might not be desirable for all writers.
For example, a writer who values a smaller, more engaged audience might prefer to remain unlisted to avoid attracting a general audience that may not align with their content’s purpose.
If privacy is a priority, you might remain unlisted, limiting your exposure to only those who already know about your publication or who find it through direct links.
Allow Search Engines to Index Paywalled Content
This setting lets search engines index snippets of our paywalled content, which can help attract new subscribers by showing them a preview of what’s behind the paywall. However, it also means that excerpts of our content are available on the internet.
For example, a writer who relies on paywalled content for income might enable this feature to attract potential subscribers by giving them a taste of what they’re missing. On the other hand, a writer who values complete content control might disable it to keep their work fully protected behind the paywall.
Disabling this feature ensures that your paywalled content remains completely inaccessible unless someone subscribes, maintaining exclusivity and protecting your intellectual property.
Allow AI Training
I have written a detailed story about it before, as many writers in my publications have asked me to do so. You can read the details in a story titled Should I “Block AI Training” on Substack? : A Concise/Practical Guide.
In short, when we allow AI platforms like ChatGPT and Google Gemini to train on our content, we contribute to the data these models use to generate responses. This can increase our content’s visibility, but it also means our work is being used to train algorithms without direct compensation.
For example, a writer who values broad exposure might opt to allow AI training, understanding that it could lead to their work being referenced more widely. However, another writer concerned about how their work is used might disable this feature to avoid contributing to AI training.
So, by disabling AI training, you ensure that your content isn’t being used by AI models without your explicit consent, thus keeping your intellectual property under tighter control.
Show Approximate Subscriber Count
Displaying your subscriber count can add social proof and help boost conversions, as potential subscribers see that others are interested in your work. However, some writers might prefer to keep this information private.
For example, a writer with a large subscriber base might display this number to encourage others to join, while a writer with a smaller or niche audience might choose to hide it to avoid discouraging potential subscribers.
So, by choosing not to display your subscriber count, you maintain control over how your publication is perceived, especially in the early stages when numbers might be lower. I personally allow the number of subscribers on my publications.
Custom Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Custom service terms and privacy policies allow you to set clear guidelines for how your content can be used and what rights your subscribers have. This is important for protecting your work and ensuring that your audience understands the rules of engagement.
For example, a writer offering exclusive content might use custom terms to specify how their work can be shared or referenced, thus protecting their intellectual property and clarifying the terms for subscribers.
Customizing these policies ensures that we aren’t solely dependent on Substack’s default terms, which may not fully address our specific needs or the nature of our content. Although I haven’t yet created my own policy, I plan to do so, particularly for my technology excellence publication, where I utilize personal research data from my labs.
When I develop this policy, I will include it as an addendum in the next version of this book to keep my readers informed. Crafting a policy requires time and careful consideration, as it involves evaluating various factors from multiple perspectives and thoroughly weighing the pros and cons.
Conclusions and Takeaways
When discussing this topic with privacy experts, they said that customizing our privacy settings on Substack isn’t just a matter of personal preference—it is a crucial step in protecting our intellectual property, managing our online presence, and ensuring that our content is shared with the intended audience.
As writers, our work might touch on sensitive topics, personal experiences, or proprietary research. Protecting this work is essential to maintaining its integrity and ensuring it reaches the right people in the right way.
Each setting on Substack provides a delicate balance between gaining exposure and maintaining privacy. Whether you seek to expand your audience globally or protect your content from unauthorized use, these settings give you the control needed to navigate the digital landscape effectively.
Choosing to enable or disable these options should be a strategic decision aligned with your goals and the specific nature of your work. So, you may consider them as part of your strategy, which I covered in Chapter 4.
By thoroughly understanding and carefully adjusting these settings, you can create a safer, more controlled environment for your writing.
This enhances your peace of mind and allows you to focus on your creative process, knowing that your privacy is being actively managed.
Ultimately, this proactive approach leads to greater satisfaction and long-term success in your writing journey, ensuring that your work remains protected and respected in an increasingly connected world.
By thoughtfully applying these privacy principles, you can create a newsletter that resonates with your readers and supports meaningful growth and community building. Here is How to Write Content to Generate Steady Income.
Many thanks to beta readers who started leaving honest feedback on this evolving book on Goodreads today.
Substack Mastery: Insider Secrets from a Content Strate…
Read 3 reviews from the world’s largest community for readers. Why I Wrote This BookWelcome to a journey that could…www.goodreads.com
Community Building on Substack Bridging with Other Platforms
As a community builder, I created a philanthropic organization that will empower creators, freelance writers, and content entrepreneurs with a commercial arm. I documented the strategy and high-level plan in a story. Please feel free to ask questions and provide feedback. Refraining from perfection, I choose a progressive path.
How I Architected a Charity Organization & Why I Will Run It Like a Business
Outline of my draft plan for creators, freelancers, and entrepreneurs empowered by the Substack networkmedium.com
Here are our draft service definitions for creators, freelance writers, and content entrepreneurs. We will explain the details in our upcoming newsletter.
ILLUMINATION Substack Community Support - Dr Mehmet Yildiz
This is a summary of 3-tier service offerings for creators, freelance writers, and content entrepreneurs on Substack…digitalmehmet.com
Links to Available Chapters
Preface of “Substack Mastery” for Beta Readers
Substack Mastery Book: Chapter 1
Substack Mastery Book: Chapter 2
Substack Mastery Book: Chapter 3
Substack Mastery Book: Chapter 4
Good News for Those Who Can’t Use Stripe on Substack
I heard that many writers cannot use Stripe due to restrictions and even suspensions. Thus, I have good news for those who cannot monetize their content on Substack due to Stripe issues. Mladena Kosanovic produced a viable solution and documented it clearly in an e-book available on Gumroads. I shared the link to her intellectual property. Please share this story with those affected by the problem. There is a viable solution. My book will include the details.
If Substack Does Not Support Your Country via Stripe, There Is an Alternative Monetization…
I interviewed a freelance writer who solved this difficult problem as a workaround with rigor, successfully implemented…medium.com
Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.
If you want to purchase the book at a reasonable price or gift it to someone you care about, you may preorder it via various Amazon markets. If the editing process is complete on time, I can get it published faster.
The funds generated from this book will be donated to the management of the Substack Mastery site for the ILLUMINATION community. This education site also amplifies the newsletters of freelance writers.
If you are a writer on Medium and Substack, we have a new publication called Substack Mastery. You are welcome to join and share your Substack experience with your fellow writers and discerning readers. ILLUMINATION-Curators curate, feature, and promote newsletters of our contributors in collections like this one. Being part of a community can bring many benefits, such as a fast-growing audience.
For advanced writers, we also have a publication called Curated Newsletters, which replaced the former ILLUMINATION-Curated. As I resigned from the boost program, I now allocate more time to support writers in extending their services to Substack or other platforms.
Substack Mastery: Insider Secrets from a Content Strategist & Seasoned Author: Learn the Basics…
Substack Mastery: Insider Secrets from a Content Strategist & Seasoned Author: Learn the Basics, Stay Motivated, Grow…www.amazon.com
Thank you so much Aiden for saving time for me. I was very busy earlier today and you relieved my load. I am grateful for your wonderful support. I believe your YouTube initiative will be great for the Substack Mastery community.
You continue to help the many navigate technology and Substack. Thank you